Flatline Half, Kenya 5k

Sat 13, Flatline Half Marathon, Athlone (823 finishers), results at www.precisiontiming.net
Winner Gary O’Hanlon (Clonliffe Harriers) 69:55, first woman was Norah Newcombe (Ballina AC) 79:57. Another great run by Charlestown 10k winner, and over 20 seconds better than her 2nd place finish time in Tullamore three weeks ago. Fourteen members (aka the flatline crew) took part, many using this race to prepare for a longer run on the last Monday in October. Temperatures soared in September sun after the 11a.m start and was a big  factor in the finishing times of many. John Byrne led the group home, happy with fourth overall in a creditable 73:26, but outside his 71:39 winning time last year.  Brendan Hession was 32nd with another solid performance in 80:27 and a brilliant new PB in the conditions – three minutes faster than his National Half time.
Our other finishers: (gross time) Paul Reynolds, 89:16 also a giant leap forward and four minutes better than his Dublin time; Sean Murphy 91:22; Ann McDonnell 1:45:07; Laura Heneghan 1:46:29; well done to Val P Glynn 1:48:22 1st o60; Monica Joyce 1:54:20; Tracy Durkan 1:56:19; Mags Connell 2:03:25; Rebecca McHugh 2:05:11; Trisha Kavanagh 2:06:24 a six minute improvement on Dublin ; Barbara Ronayne 2:09:53; Finian Joyce 2:13:05.
It’s worth noting a couple of other remarkable finishing times by o50 category winners : Paul Moran (Rathfarnham) who has Mayo connections 74:06, and Sligo AC’s Lucy Brennan 90:38.

Sunday 14th Kenya 5k, Claremorris: All Mayo AC unless stated  1 Dominic Regan 19:54. Great to see Dominic back on the road after pulling out in Charlestown 10k at 3k mark. 2 Owen Mongan 21:59, 3 Matt Donlon (Shrule)  22:43.
Women 1 Angela O’Connor 20:35, 2 Ann Murray 25:22, 3 Erica Ryan (Claremorris)  27:11